U.S. under-17 women's soccer coach Albertin Montoya said last spring that Toni Payne, above, is probably one of the most explosive players he has seen in the women's game. The Oak Mountain senior signed her national letter of intent with Duke on Wednesday. (Mark Almond/malmond@al.com)

Payne was moved up to train with the U.S. Under-20 national team this season to prepare for the Under-20 World Cup next summer. Payne said she was one of only seven 17-year-old girls that were a part of that U-20 team.

"I believe in a year or so that she is going to be playing on the U.S. national team," Oak Mountain soccer coach Pete Dakis said.

That's the nation's elite women that competes in Olympic and World Cup play. Dakis said she had offers from North Carolina, Notre Dame, Washington State and Vanderbilt, among others.

"She's incredible," Dakis said. "I can put her to play in any position except goalkeeper and she could play it like she has played there for years. Her ball skills are unbelievable. It is almost like comparing her to a Randy Moss or a Terrell Owens in football when it comes to her ability with the ball."

Agility. Ball skills. Ball speed. Foot speed. Shot accuracy. Dakis said she is fantastic in all those aspects of play.

Payne chose Duke for the academics and atmosphere. She said she carries a 3.6 grade-point average at Oak Mountain and has scored a 24 on her ACT.

"Besides being a great player she strives even more in the classroom," Dakis said. "If you've seen the skill level she plays at, then that really is something."

Payne said she does not expect to miss any significant time playing for the Oak Mountain team this spring. She plans to be a big part of the program's title defense in Class 6A girls soccer this season.

She plans to pursue a Pharmacy degree at Duke. The Blue Devils finished in the Elite Eight of the NCAA championships last year. She said that another national team member also signed with Duke and it was another draw to her college choice.

Jeff Sentell covers Birmingham high school sports for The Alabama Media Group and The Birmingham News. Write to him at jsentell@al.com.